Brake valve device



Nov. 26, 1940.

C. C. FARMER BRAKE VALVE DEVICE Filed Jan. 28, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l I ll f2 17 'le 39 27 is! I.28 22 i* xv ILvv K l (N I14 es 5 23- 24 M3429 RELEASE1 INVENTOR CLYDE @FARMER BY Mgr/1 9W.,

2 ATTORNEY Nov. 26', 1940.

RUNNING.

RELEASE RUNMNG. i

C. C. -FARMER BRAKE VALVE DEVICE' FiledJan. 28, 1938 *TRS ` 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "F R36 49 48 5a AZIZ b lNvENToR 28 d CLYDE c. F'AHMEFQ 25v 7@ 76 My@ ATTORNEY Patented Nev. 26, 1940 UNI'IIEII) STATES -PA'T'ElIT OFFICE BRAKE VALVE .DEVICE oxyde o. Farmer, Pittsburgh, renseigner te .The Westinghouse Air Brake' Company, Wilnerding, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania l' j Application January 28, 1938, Serialflii'o. 187,386 n 14 Claims. Y (Cl. 251--153) l This invention relates to brake valve 'devices and particularly to automatic brake valves of the type having a normal running position ofthe brake valve handle and a release and recharge 5 position of the handle.

In a fluid pressure brake equipment, such as the familiar Westinghouse No. (SET locomotive brake equipment described vin Instruction Pamphlet No. 5032 (November 1932) published by The Westinghouse fAir Brake Company, the automatic brake valve is so constructed that when the operating handle thereof is shifted 'to release and rechargeV position, hereinafter termed merely release position,the :brake pipe running throughout the train is recharged directly from the main reservoir to eiect the release of the brakes cn 'the cars without 'effecting release of the brakes on the locomotive. In order to eifect the release of the brakes on the locomotive by means of the automatic brake valve, 'the operating handle of the 'automatic'brake valve must be shifted to the so-ca'lled running position thereof. y

In the case of Ythe early types of automatic brake equipments,'the 'rleasepositioh of the automatic brake 'valve jis useful in that it enables (a) rapid initial charging of long freight trains, (b) rapid release of triple valves due to the rapid rate of pressure rise inthe brake pipe, (c) re'- charge of the brakele'quipment during cycling operation upon descending grades, and (d) release of front-'end brakes that have been stuck or reapplied due -to overcharge. f

For many years the release position of the automatic brake valve 'was Iconsidered indispensable to the satisfactory operation of the brake "equipment. During recent years, however, there has been considerable improvement in the design and in the operating characteristics o'f the automatic brake equipment to suc'han extent as to almost completely negative the value of the release -position. Among those -factors which `in recent years have tended to' negativethe value of-the release position on the automatic brake valve' are (l) higher capacity feed valves which have a much larger margin fordependable performance in service, (2) vthe introduction of quick recharge, retarded recharge, and releasefi-nsuring lfeatures in brake controlling triple valves, and (3) the increase in the blow-down time of retaining valves to a higher maximum time.

It has been urged by some that the release position of the automatic brake valve be eliminated altogether while at the same time others are of the opinion ythat it should be retained, vas far asstandardbrake equipment for railroads is concerned. )1.

In view of the fact that large numbers .of-.auto- ,mato brake valvesfare in service, it vis desirable .to v.devise ways and. means --to convert present standard ,automatic .brake valves, with a` minimum of expense, so as to Aeliminate the release `.position oftheV brake valve handle or so as to render. it ,available optionally by some additional actA oreffort on the part .of-the operator. 10

,Accordingly,.-itvis an object of my invention .toeiiect the .conversion of present-day standard automatic brake valveshavin-g ya-release position and a run-ningposition so as to positively prevent thecperationof. :the brake valve handle to release Vpositionnormally but, if desired, vto permit operation ofthe brake valve ,handle to release lposition by. theexpenditure of additional effort or by an additionalact of the operator.-

It is desirable to minimize the cost of converif" sion Aand alsoto avoid removalof the automatic brake valven outof service l.and thus a further objectof my invention is to Veffect 'the conversion ,of .present standard -automaticbrake valve devices so as .to eliminate the .full release v.position there- 1I of by means associated with the handle of the brake valve. and not requiring .any modification of the mainor body portion of the bra-ke valve. vStill more specifically, it is an object .of .my invention to provide .means carried on -a .brake ator for optionally .preventing .or not preventing .movement of the brake valve handle to release positionf l The aboveobjects, and other objects of my invention which will be made apparent hereinafter, are attained by .means of a few illustrative embodiments of my invention which will be described subsequently and which -are shown `in theaccompanying drawings, wherein Figs. 1, 2 and aredifferent views of one vembodiment lof my invention, apart of each being valve rhandle vand under the control of the operf lsoy Description of embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 Referring to Fig. 1, there is Shown in fragmentary form a conventional automatic brake valve device II having an operating handle I2 adapted to be secured, removably or otherwise, to the end of the operating shaft or stem I3 for the rotary valve (not shown) of the brake valve. According to my invention, the handle I2 is adapted to carry a slidable sleeve I having a stem I8 which is received in a suitable bore or recess' I1 in the shank of the handle I2, a coil spring I8 being interposed between the bottom of the bore I1 and the end of the stemy I6 to yieldingly urge the'sleeve I5 in an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The sleeve I5 has a laterally extending portion or lug.I9

adapted to engage the usual projecting shoulder 2| on the quadrant plate 22 of the brake valve II toV prevent movement of the handle I2 out voftrunning position toward and into release pos1 on.

A. triggerw23, fixed to the steml I6 and proejectmg downwardly through' a slot 24 in the underside of the handle, ,enables thev operator "to retract the sleeve vI5 against the force of spring I8 by pulling on the trigger 23.

Carried in slidable relationina bore 2,1 of the sleeve I5 is a pawlor latch 28 which is urged yieldingly into contact with the edge of the quadrant plate 22 by the spring I8 through the medium of the sleeve I5 which engages the enlarged `head 29 of the latch or'pawl 28.

Y Thequadrant plate 22 is provided with recesses or notches 3| at spaced intervals along the edge thereof to definev the various operating positions ,of the brake valve handle, and the latch 28 is shown inrFigs.- 1 and 2 .asA engaging in the 40: notch defining the running positionrof the brake the handle I2 when, the handleis removed from 'the brake valve, a screw 33 is provided inthe Abodyy of the brake valve handle I2, the inner end of the screw extending into a slotted recess or groove 34 formed at the side of the4 stem portion of the latch 28.

According 4to frny invention, the `body of the handle I2 may be1 further provided with a tapped 'bore 36 for receivinga screw 31, the position of the bore 36 beingv such that when the screw 31 is fully screwedjinto 'the bore, the inner end of the screw ,acts as a stop to prevent retraction of Izslsie sleeve'fI5 by the trigger 23 or feeler buttons In operation, withtlie trigger 23 released, the shifting of the brake valve handle I2 in a clockwise direction as Viewed .in Fig. 2 beyond the running position toward thejrelease position is prevented kby the engagement of the projecting Alug I9 on the sleeve I5 with the stop shoulder 2l on the Vquadrant plate 22.

If itis desired to prevent movement `of the brake valve handle I2 tothe releaseposition at all times, the screw 31 is screwed into the bore 36, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the Asleeve I5 carrying the lug I9 cannot be retracted. If it is desired to have the brake valve handle I2 optionally movable to the release position, the screw 31 is 'removed and thus the operator may, by pulling on the trigger 23 or the'feeler buttons 25, retract the sleeve I5 to shift the projecting lug I9 out of line with the shoulder 2| on the quadrant plate 22, thus enabling the brake Valve handle I2 to be shifted in a clockwise direction into the release position, as shown in Fig. 3.

The latch 28 is retracted along with the sleeve I5 but the inner end of the screw 33 serves as a stop toylimit the degree of retractive movement of the latch `28 away from the quadrant plate 22. Thus, although the sleeve I5 is fully retracted, the latch 28 remains in a position to engage the stop shoulder 2| on the quadrant plate 22` and thereby prevent movement of the brake valve handle I2 in a clockwise direction beyond the release position.

' When thebrake valve handle I 2 is shifted back to running position from the release position, the spring I8 snaps the sleeve I5 back to the Yposition. shown in Fig. 2 so that when the operator subsequently endeavors tol return the brake valveY handle from running position to release position, such movement is prevented.

A modified construction of the embodiment shown in Figs, 12 and 3, is shown in Fig. 4, corresponding parts being 'designated by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In Fig. 4, the trigger 23 is omitted leaving the feeler buttons 25, which project on opposite sides of the handle and extend through the sleeve -portion I5, to serve as the sole means to be grasped by the operatorto effect the retraction of th'e'sleeve member I5 and its lug I9 to enable movement of the handle I2 beyond running position to release position. I

A latch 28a is provided which differs from the .latch 28'in`being longer and having a yoke portion 38 at the outer end thereof which straddles the connecting pin 39 of the feeler buttons 25. Thus, the latch 28a is yieldingly urged into contact with the edge'of the quadrant plate 22 by the spring I8 through the medium of the sleeve member I5 and the pin 39 of the feeler buttons which pin bears against the .outer end of the latch 28a.- Since the pin 39 of the feeler buttons '25 Vbears `directly on the end ofthe latch 28a, it `Lwill be apparent that the operator may know vby sense of touch on the'feeler buttons 25 when the latch 28a is engaged or not engaged in the notches 3I on the quadrant plate 22.

As in the case of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a screw 33a is arranged so that the inner end thereof extends into a slot or groove 34a in the side of the latch 28a to prevent the latch 28a from falling out of the handle when the handle I2 is oi the brake valve. At the same time, the slot 34a, is suiciently long not to interfere with the free movement of the latch 28 when assembled in the handle and associated with the quadrant plate on the brake valve.

A second modification of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is shown in Fig. 5. In this modification, the feeler buttons 25 serve to effect retraction of the sleeve I5, the trigger 23 being omitted. At the same time, as in the ernbodiment shown in Figs.,1,v 2 and 3, sleeve I5 engages the enlarged head 29 of the latch 28 so that the latch 28 is yieldingly urged into contact withvthe edge of the quadrant plate 22 by the vspring I8 through the medium ofthe sleeve I5.

Instead of. a, short, screw.. corresponding' to vthe screws 33 or 33a, a long-screw- 33bis provided which extends transversely throughV the body of the brake valve handle |2 andv through aligned slotsA or elongated openings 4I and 42 in the latch 28i andi sleeve, l5, respectively., The screw 33h is engageable.y by the sleeve member l5f and acts as astop to, prevent the movement of the sleeve member |15 outwardly; of the handle under the influence of the biasing spring i8; thus'relieving the connecting pin 3-9 of the feeler buttons 2.5 of the shearing: stresses thereon which would: otherwise occur. At the same time, the screw 33h prevents dropping of the latch .28v out of the brake valve handle assembly when the brake valve handle I2. is offfi the brake valve.

v It will be apparent that, normally, the lug i9 on. the sleevemember I5` in. Figs, 4 and 5 prevents operation of the brake'valve handle beyond running position to release position. If, however, the operator under certain circumstances desiresv to shift the brake valve handle to release position he may do so after rst grasping the feeler buttons and retracting. the sleeve member I5. As in the case of the embodiment shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3, upon return of; the brake valve handlefrom release tor running position, the spring I8 snaps the sleeve member l5 outwardly to its normal position so as to prevent subsequent operation of the brake valve Embodiment shown in Fig. 6

The embodiment. of my invention shown, in Fig. 6 comprises a brake valve handle lZc which diiTers from the previous embodiment in having a bore or slot 45 therein for directly receiving a plunger-like latch 28o, a biasing springr i8 being interposed between the latch 28e and thev end of the slot 45 in the handle l2a to yieldingly urge the latch 28C into contact with the edge of the quadrant plate 22. In this embodiment, the feeler buttons 25 are ixed on opposite sides of the latch 23o, the. connecting pin 39 thereof extending through suitable slots 26 in the body of the brake valve handle to permit movement of the latch 28e in the slot 45.

According to my invention; the brake valve handle lZa is further provided with a slidable element 48 adapted to be xed to the side ofthe brake valve handle by means of a thumb screw 49 which extends through a slotted opening 5l in the element 48 and is screwed into a tapped bore Sil-in the body of the brake valve handle I2a. In order to prevent turning, of the element 4B on the screw 49, the element 48 is provided with a slot or groove 52 into which a small pin 53 fixed in the side of the brake valvev handle extends.

In operation, if it is desired to prevent operation of the brake valve handle beyond running y position toward and into release position, the

thumb screw 49 is loosened and the element 43 is shifted in the right-hand direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, until stopped by the screw 49, after which the screw 49 is tightened to hold the element 48 in position. In this position, the inner end of vthe element 48 engages the stop shoulder 2| on thumb screw 49 and then. by exerting sufficient force on the brake valve handle mayl force it from running; position to release position,v the contacting: surfaces; on the .element 48 and the shoulder 2lyof'the quadrant platev 2-2f coacting to cause the element. 48 to be shifted in the lefthand directiorr tol free the brake valve handle l for movement to. release position'.

element. 48a and extends through a suitable elongated; slotl or opening: 581 in the body ofthe brake valve'. handle IZa, andi' a coilspring 59 interposed between the head ofthe screw and a cup-shaped collar 6l slidable on the shank ofthe screw 5T. The spring 59 acts tofurge the screw outwardly to hold theelement 48' inI positions b-y the friction between the element 48 and the body of'tl'ieA brake valve handle I 2a.l y

With the element 48ay in its outer position as shown, the movement of the brakevalve handle 12a' from the running position, in which it is shown, to release position is prevented. If' the operator desires to movethe brake valve handle from running position to release position, he merely exerts a force on the collar 6I, which is formed as a handle, to retract the .element 48 against the friction between the element 48 and the body of the brake valve caused by the force of the spring 59. When the moving force on the handle 6I is relievedthe spring 59 acts to maintainthe element 48a in its retracted position so Referring to` Figs.. 8y and 9, another embodiment of my invention is shown comprising a brake valve handle- IZb having two relatively movable portions 64 and 65, the portion- Gli-being that part of' the. brake valve handle grasped by thek hand' ofY the operator and the portion. B5'being that portion which is secured to' the' operating stem or shaft I3 of'* rotary valve of the brake valve. Theportion E5I of the brake valve` handle is providedv with a sloty 66 for receiving a latch 28d'corresponding to the other latches previously referred to and which engages in the notches 3i in the quadrant plate 22. of the brake valve.

The latch 28d is threaded at the outer end thereof and screwed into a suitable bore in the portion 64 of the brake valve handle. Intermediate the ends ofthe latch 28d are feeler buttons 251 the connecting pin 39 of which extends through the latch 28d and registering slots 2% in the portion 65 of the brake valve handle.

A coil spring 68 concentrically surrounds the latch 28d and is interposed between the outer end of the brake valve handle portionv 55 and the transversely extending pin 39 connecting the eeler buttons 25 to urge the latch element 28d outwardly into contact with the quadrant plate 22 and at the same time urge the portion G4 of thev brake valve handle toward the portion 65. The engagement of the portion 64 of the brake valve handle with the portion 65 limits the moveextending slot or groove 7| opening out of the` slot 66 and having therein a blocking element 12 pivoted, as on a pin 13. f- 1 The pivoted element 12 has a downwardly extending tooth or lug 14 which .engages the side of 15 the latch 28d' and maintains the pivoted element 12 in an outer position such that the end'of the element 'l2 engages' the shoulder 2| on the quadrant plate 22 to prevent shifting of the brake valve handle |2b from the running position, in

which it is shown, toward release position.-

In order to permit movement ofthe brake valve handle |2b to release positiomthe latch 28d is provided with a slot or opening 'I6 therein which is in line'with thev tooth 14 on the pivoted 25 element 12 butspaced 'therefrom normally.

When the latch 28d is retracted by the operator grasping the portion 64 of the brakefvalve handle and pulling outwardly, the opening 'I6- registers With the tooth Mon the pivoted element 'l2 and thus the operator may-.shift the brake valve handle |2b beyond running position to 'release position, as shown in Fig. 9. f

' A groove or recess 11 is provided inthe porto '35. 65 of the brake valve handle to receivel the end of the tooth 'I4 of the pivoted element 12 and thereby-permit the brake -valve handle to `be shifted fully into its release position. n l

This embodiment of my invention diiers from the previously described embodiments in that the operator `must continue to exert a force to -hold the brake vvalve handle |2b in ,release position because if the operator removes his handfrom the portion -64 of the brake valve handle, the

.45 spring 68 exerts a force on the Vlatch 28d which automatically shifts the pivoted element 12 back to its position shown in Fig. 8, and thus, incidentally returns thebrake valve handle'to' running position. f I

`f5() A modification of the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is indicated in Fig. 10. In this modification, the pivoted element 12 of the embodiment shown in' Figs. 8 and' 9 is omitted and a corresponding relement 18 provided. vThe element l :55 'I8 is pivoted at one end, as by a pin 19, on the portion 65a of the brake valve handle, corresponding to the portion 65 of the brake valve handle |2b, andextends through the opening 16 in the latch 28d.

'60 yWhen the spring 68 urges the latch 28d outwardly into engagement with the quadrant plate 22, the free end of the pivoted element 18 is shifted to a position such as to engage the shoulder 2| on the quadrant plate 22 and thus prevent l 65 movement of the brake valve handle |2b beyond running position, in which it is shown in Fig. 10, to release position.

In 'order to enable the operator to shift the brake valve handle to release position, it is nec- 70 essary that he pull on the portion 64 of the brake valve handle to retract the latch 28d and thus shift the pivoted element 18 outwardly out of line with the shoulder 2| on the quadrant plate 22,

In the modii'lcationshown in Fig. 10, the latch 75 28d engages the shoulder 2| on the quadrant plate '22 to prevent movement of the brake valve handle beyond release position.

As distinguished from the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the brake valve handle |2b in Fig. 10 is adapted to remain in release position 5 notwithstanding the removal of the operators hand from the brake valve handle. It will be apparent that with the brake valve handle shifted into release position, and the outer portion 64 of the brake valve handle lreleased by the oper- 10 ator, the spring 68 acts to shiftthe pivoted ele-- ment 18 back to its normal position. 'Howeven the element 18 engages the outer edge ofthe quadrant plate and cannot returnto its original position and thus the spring 68 acts to hold'the 1'5 brake valve handle yieldingly in release position'. When force is exerted sufficiently to overcome'the 'friction'of the element 'I8 on the edge of the quadrant plate,` the brake valve handle may be returned from release position to Irunning posi- 20 tion. Upon the return of the brake valve handle from release position to running position, the pivoted element 'i8 is snapped back'to its original position, as shown' in Fig. 10, and is thus again conditioned to prevent movement of`the brake 25 valve handle beyond runningposition towardref lease position unless retracted vin the manner previously described.

Summary 30 summarizing, it will be seen thatl have disclosed various embodiments of my invention for converting automatic brake valves to prevent, positively or optionally, movement of the brake valve handle beyond normal or running position 3'5",

operator performs some additionallact-or exerts o an additional effort, which he would not do ordinarily unless definitely intended, to cause the brake valve handle to be shifted to release posif tion. v

While I vhave disclosed only certainl embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent that various omissions, additions or modiiicationsfmay be made in the embodiments shown without 1departing from the spirit of my invention.l It is not my intention, therefore, to limit the scope of my invention except as it is necessitated by the scope of the prior art.-

Having now described my invention,v .what I claim as new and desire to-securebyfLetters Patent is: f l l 1. Inv a brake valve device having. a rotary valve element and a quadrant plate, an operating handle for shifting the valve element'to diierent operating positions, an element movably mounted on the said handle, resilient means urging said element to a position for cooperating with the quadrant plate to prevent movement of the operating handle in one direction out-of acertain operating position, and a latch element carried by the last said element and arranged to be subv ject to the force of said resilient means urging it yieldingly into cooperation with the-quadrant plate to define the various operating positions of the handle.

2. In a brake valve device having a rotary valvev quadrant plate to prevent movement ofthe operatinghandle in. one direction, out of" a certain operating position, a latch element* carriedf, `by the last said element and arranged to: be subject tov force of said. resilient' means urging -it into contactwith the quadrant plateto*1 define thevarious operating positions of the handle, and'means under the control ofthe operator for; shifting said element .to a different position Whereinit is non-eiective to prevent movement of the operating handle in thesaid one direction outof the said certain position.

3. An operatinghandle for a brake valver device, comprising means movably carried' on the handle and effective in onev position in cooperation with a stationary part of the brake valve device to block'movementof the handle toi a certain operating position, a latch element carried by the blocking element and movable therewith, means for shifting the said-'blocking elementl to render it non-effective to prevent movement4 of the operating handle to said certain position, and means effective tolimit the degree of movement of said 'latch element With the blocking element when the` said blocking element is shifted to non-effective position, to render the latch element effective to cooperate with a stationary p art of the brake valve device to prevent movement of the operating handlefbeyond the said certain position.

4. An operating handle for a control device, comprising a movable` element carried on the handle and effective in one` position in cooperation with a stationary part of the control device to block movement ofthe operating handle to a certain position and non-effective in a different position Vto block movement of the handle -to said certain. position, a latch element carried by said blocking element vfor cooperating With a stationary part of the control device to define a plurality of operating positions for the handle, andmeans for limiting thev degree of relative movement between the latch element and the said handle.

5. In a brake valve device having arotary valve .element and a stationary quadrant plate, an operating handle for shifting the rotary valve element rotarily to diierent operating positions, an element carried on V,the handle and movable to different positions relative thereto, resilient means urging said element normally to a posi tion for cooperating with the quadrant plate of the brake valve device to prevent movement of the operating handle in one direction beyond a certain position, a latch element carried by the said element and movable therewith, said latch element being subject to the force of said resilient means acting on the said element and thereby urged yieldingly into cooperative relation With the quadrant plate, and a feeler button carried by the said element adapted to be moved to shift the said element to a position in which it is noneiective to prevent movement of the operating handle in said one direction beyond the said certain position.

6. In a brake valve device having a rotary valve element and a stationary quadrant plate, an operating handle forv shifting the rotary valve element rotarily to different operating positions, an element carried on the handle and movable relative thereto, resilient means yieldingly urging the said element to a position in which it cooperates With the quadrant plate of the brake valve device to block the movement of the operating' handle in one direction beyond a certain position, means movable tota limited degree relative to the handle for shifting. said elementI lagainst theforceof said resilient means to a positionf renderingwit noneffectiveito block movement ofthe-handle beyond said certainposition in saidgone direction, and a latch elementv carriedby theyblocking element and subject to the force ,ofy said resilient means urging-'it intocooperatingcontact with the quadrant plate to define thediiferent operatingpositions of the handle.

7;; In a brake valve device ,havingV a rotary valve element and a stationary quadrant plate, an operating handle for shifting the rotary valve element rotarily to differentY Operating positions, an, element carried on the handle and movable relative thereto,V resilient v mea-ns yieldingly urging the-said" element to aposition in which it cooperates with the quadrant plate ofthe' brake valve device to blockthe movement oi'Y theoperatingy handle in one direction beyond .a certain position, means on said element graspable by an oper'ator'and movable to a limited degree relative' to, the handle for shifting said element against the lforce ofv said resilient means to a position rendering it non-effective to block movement of the handle beyond said certain position in said onedirection, a latch element carried bythe 'blocking element and arranged to be subject to ltheforc'e of said resilient means and .urged therebyV into cooperating contact with the quadrant plata, and means for preventing more than a limited degree of movement of the said latch element relative to the said' handle.

8. Ina brake 'valve/device having a rotary valve elementv and astationary quadrant pla-te, an operating handlefor shifting#v the valve element rotarilyto-l different operating positions,y an element carriedon the handle and movable relativethereto,-resilient meansyieldingly urging rthe said element to a normal position vin vWhich vit cooperates Withitherquadrant plateof the brake valve device to yprevent'movement ofthe` operating handle in onedirection beyond `a certain position, means; for shifting the said element out of its normal posi-Y tion against theforce of the resilient means to a diierent position in which it is non-effective to prevent the movement of the operatingrhandle in the said direction beyond the certain position, and optional means carriedby the handle adapted to cooperate with the saidlelement to prevent shifting" thereof bythe last said'v means out of its normalA position to its non-eiective position.

9. In a brake valve device having a rotary valve element and a stationary quadrant plate, an operating handle for shifting the valve element rotarily to different operating positions, an element carried on the handle and movable relative thereto, resilient means yieldingly urging the'said element to a normal position in which it cooperates with the quadrant plate of the brake valve device to prevent movement of the operating handle in one direction beyond a certain position, means for shifting the said element out of its normal position against the force of the resilient means to a different position in which it is noneffective to prevent the movement of the operating handlein the said direction beyond the certain position, optional means carried by the handle adapted to cooperate with the said element to prevent shifting thereof by the last said means out of its normal position to its non-effective position, a latch element carried by the said element and so constructed and arranged as to be yieldingly urged into cooperative contact with the quadrant plate by the said resilient means, and

Y element cooperates with aiixed part of the' brake valve device to block movement of the handle in one direction beyond a certain position andvv in another-of which it isnon-eiec'tive to blocky movement of the handle in the said one direction be- -11. Ano'p'erating handle for a brake valvel device, vcomprising an element carried thereon and movable relative thereto, and-meansfor clamping the said element to the` handlein different positions relative to the handle,in one of Which posi` tions thejelementcooperates With a fixed .part of the brakevalve device to block Vmovement of the operating handle -in 'one directionbeyondi-,a

' certain position andvin another of Which itis non-eective to block movement of the handle in the said one direction beyond the said certain po-n sition. I A

12. In a brake valve ldevice having a rotariT valve element and a stationary quadrant* plate, a handle for rotarily shifting thevalve element to different operating positions, said handle have ing tWo portions one of which Icarries a latchfelement, resilient means yieldingly urging the latch element into cooperative relation With the-quadl rant plate of the brake valve device and effective v to yieldingly resist movement of the said one por'- tion of the handle relative to the other, an element pivoted on the saidrother portion of the handle `and normally maintained in a Ipositioni by said latch element to cooperatively engagethe quadrant plate and thereby block movementof the handle in one direction beyond'a certain position, said Aelement being shiftable out ofitsznormal position, to permit movement of said handle in said one direction beyond said certain position, upon movement of the one portion of the handle relative tothe other. s v

13. In a brake valve device having a. rotary valve element and a stationary quadrant plate, an operating handle for rotarilyv shifting vthe valve element to different operating positions, said ,handlehaving two portions one of Which is movable relative to the other, a ,latchv element carried bythe said one portion of the handle, resilient means yieldingly urging the latch element intocooperativev engagement With the quadrant plate .and e'ective to yieldingly resist movement ofthe-one portion of the handle relative to the other portion, a blocking element pivoted on'the other portion of the said handle and pivotally moved to different positions upon movement. of the latch element, said latch element being normally eective to maintain the pivoted blocking elementrin a position vso as to cooperatively engage the quadrant plate and block movement of the handle in one direction beyond a certain ,position' and shifted by movement of the one portion of the handle relative to the other to pivot-V ally move the blocking velement to a position Wherein it is non-effective to block movement of the handle in the said one-direction beyond said certain position.

14. An operating handle :forl a valve device of the type having a rotary valve and a stationary quadrant plate on the periphery of Which are a serieslot successively spaced notches located respectively in positions corresponding to the diierent operating positions of therotary'valve and a projecting shoulder located beyond and. in spaced relation to the end notch of the series in one direction and dening 'a yet different operating position, said handle comprising a body member graspable by the hand of the operator for turning the rotary valve to its dierent operating positions, a -latch member carried on and movable with respect to the said body member, resilient means yieldingly urging the saidlatch member in a direction to engage in thev notches of vthe-quadrant plate, andan element carried on and movable to different positions with respect to the said body member, said element lbeing effective in one of its positions lto engage the shoulder on the quadrant plate substantially at the timev that the latch member. engages in the said end notch adjacent said shoulder for preventing movement of the body member past the position thereof corresponding to that of said end notch in the direction of said shoulder and eiectivein another of its positions to permit movement of the body member past the position corresponding to-that of the said end notch and to said yet different operating position where the said latch member engagessaid shoulder.

'v CLY'DE C. FARMER. 

